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Three-dimensional, particle-in-cell simulations of applied-B ion diodes on the particle beam fusion accelerator II

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.363100· OSTI ID:286536
;  [1]
  1. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)

We have used the three-dimensional, particle-in-cell code QUICKSILVER [J. P. Quintenz, {ital et} {ital al}., Lasers and Particle Beams {bold 12}, 283 (1994)] to simulate radial applied-{ital B} ion diodes on the particle beam fusion accelerator II at Sandia National Laboratories. The simulations agree well with experiments early in the beam pulse, but differ substantially as the ion-beam current increases. This is attributed to the oversimplified ion emission model. We see the same instabilities seen in earlier simulations with idealized diode geometries; Early in time there is a diocotron instability, followed by a transition to an {open_quote}{open_quote}ion mode{close_quote}{close_quote} instability at much lower frequency. The instability-induced beam divergence for the {approximately}10 MeV beam during the diocotron phase is {lt}10 mrad, significantly less than the total beam divergence in experiments early in the pulse, but increases to {approx_gt}25 mrad after the transition. The ion mode has a distinct harmonic structure along the applied field lines, making the instability transition sensitive to the diode geometry. The ion mode instability in our latest simulations is consistent with evidence of instabilities from recent experiments. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratory
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
286536
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 80; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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